NOSSCR SAN FRANCISCO
October 19, 2018
Attacks on attorneys now run the gamut from cyber bullying and data breach to battery and even death. Often times, the worst behavior is associated with mental illness of one form or another. We use terms such as “that person is crazy, “that’s bipolar,” and “that’s schizoaffective,” uncritically, interchangeably and without any kind of precision. The lack of our technical understanding of the nature of mental illness can create a situation in which we expose ourselves, the courts, and our clients to real danger. Stories of bad behavior directed towards lawyers and judges tend to have a short shelf life in the media.
There has been a steady erosion of civility in discourse in this country. Behavior which once would seem absolutely outside the realm of possibility and social compact now is daily occurrence. Bullying, name-calling, and vilifying are rapidly becoming the new norm. In general, the irritations of our complex society which once were suppressed now can be celebrated in person, across social media, and a host of different channels.